Patent Grant
10099114
The present invention relates to conducting second chance game events (e.g., bonus games) associated with separate and independent primary lottery.
Lottery games have become a time honored method of raising revenue for state and federal governments the world over. Traditional scratch-off and draw games have evolved over decades, supplying increasing revenue year after year. However, after decades of growth, the sales curves associated with traditional games seem to be flattening out. Consequently, both lotteries and their service providers are presently searching for new methods of increasing sales.
In one attempt to increase sales, United States lotteries have adopted second chance games where the consumer can enter losing lottery ticket codes on lottery Internet sites to play instant second chance games (also referred to as “bonus games”) or to enter second chance drawings. However, for the most part, second chance games usually involve prizes of a minor nature compared to the main lottery games and, although having some impact, are generally not recognized as a significant promoter of sales of the primary game.
In an attempt to increase participation in the primary games, certain state jurisdictions in the United States have implemented “players' clubs” wherein participants register loosing primary tickets from multiple primary games into an online player account. The losing tickets are treated as entries into periodic drawings for secondary prizes. For example, Georgia sponsors a “PLAYERS CLUB” program wherein registered participants enter non-winning Georgia Lottery instant tickets via an online account into a second chance drawing program. Monthly drawings are conducted for an array of different awards, such as a monthly grand cash prize, featured prizes, and “points” awards that may be redeemed at a number of participating sponsors.
The second chance games discussed above may be improved upon to further generate sales of tickets in the primary lottery games.
Objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In accordance with aspects of the invention, a computer-implemented method is provided for conducting a bonus game to a first primary game that enhances sales of tickets in an unrelated second primary game. The primary games may be different types of respective lottery games sponsored by governmental entity, such as a state or multi-state organization. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to lottery games per se, but is applicable to any gaming scenario wherein separate and independently run primary games are implemented through the sale of respective tickets, vouchers, individual plays, and so forth.
The primary game is established wherein players are issued first game tickets for play of the first primary game. A bonus game is established that is played separate from the first primary game with its own set of rules and prize structure. To qualify for entry into the bonus game, players enter at least one first game ticket from the first primary game, which may be a winning or non-winning ticket in the first primary game. A second primary game is established wherein players are issued second game tickets for play of the second primary game. The second game tickets are linked to the bonus game for the first primary game such that players enhance a prize awarded in the bonus game (e.g., increased odds of winning or increased amount of prize awarded) by entering second game tickets (winning or non-winning) into the bonus game. The primary games and bonus game are conducted such that (i) play of the first primary game does not require play of the bonus game or the second primary game, (ii) play of the second primary game does not require play of the first primary game or the bonus game, and (iii) play of the bonus game requires play of the first primary game but not the second primary game.
In a particular embodiment, first bonus game symbols are associated with the first game tickets, for example by being printed on the game tickets. In another embodiment, the game tickets may provide instructions to the player as to how to acquire a unique associated bonus game symbol via a website. The players are required to collect a predefined set or grouping of different ones of the first bonus game symbols to qualify for entry into the bonus game. The game method is not limited to any particular grouping technique or scheme. For example, sets may be defined by color, theme, number, location on a board or matrix, and so forth, so long as the sets are readily understood and identified to the players.
A second different type of bonus game symbol is associated with (e.g., printed on or accessible via a website) the second game tickets that is visually linked to a particular one of the predefined sets of first bonus symbols. The player's initial entry into the bonus game (granted upon accumulation of a particular predefined set of first bonus game symbols) is enhanced by one or more of the second bonus game symbols the player has accumulated that are linked to the respective predefined set of first bonus game symbols. For example, the bonus game may be a drawing event wherein the player is awarded a defined number of initial entries (e.g., one or more tickets) in the drawing upon accumulation of one of the predefined sets of first bonus game symbols. The number of initial entries may be increased by multiplying the number as a function of one or more of the second bonus game symbols the player has accumulated that are linked or associated with the respective predefined set of first bonus game symbols.
It should be appreciated that the bonus or second chance game is not limited to drawings. In the event that the bonus game is conducted as a drawing-type of game, the bonus games may be conducted on a scheduled periodic basis such that players become eligible for a next scheduled bonus game upon acquiring the predefined set of first bonus game symbols prior to the scheduled date of the bonus game.
In certain embodiments, the players are provided with a bonus game board that tracks first bonus game symbols and second bonus game symbols acquired by the player. This game board may be a virtual board that automatically updates and visually associates the second bonus game symbols with their respective predefined set of first bonus game symbols. For example, in the bonus game board may have a MONOPOLY game theme, wherein the first bonus game symbols identify property locations on the MONOPOLY game board, such as the widely-recognized “blue” properties “Boardwalk” and “Park Place.” The second bonus game symbols associated with the second lottery tickets may equate to a house or hotel structure built on one of the property locations, such as “one hotel on Boardwalk” or “two houses on Park Place.” As with the conventional MONOPOLY game, a greater number of house or hotel structures associated with the property increases or enhances the location's value. For example, the structures may increases the number of entries into the bonus game once the predefined set of property locations is satisfied by the player. For example, the player may be awarded ten initial entries into the bonus game for accumulating Park Place and Boardwalk from the first primary lottery game. If the player has also accumulated two houses on Boardwalk, the initial number of entries may be multiplied by a factor of three to grant the player thirty entries into the bonus game.
In a desirable embodiment, the bonus game is conducted via a website that is made accessible by players and the bonus game board is a virtual game board provided to the players via the website. For example, individual players may establish bonus game accounts via the website, wherein each player is shown their own individualized game board that updated with a status of the first bonus game symbols and second bonus game symbols accumulated by the player.
It should be appreciated that the present game method is not limited to any particular type of first and second primary games. In one embodiment, the first primary game is a lottery draw game (e.g., a “Pick-4” game wherein players attempt to match selected player indicia with four indicia randomly drawn from a field of indicia) and the first game tickets are lottery draw tickets having at least one entry into the draw game. These tickets may be purchased by players at an authorized lottery retail establishment, via the Internet, and so forth. The first lottery tickets have one or more of the first bonus game symbols provided thereon (or associated therewith), such as an Ace-of-spades where the first game symbols are divided into groups of playing cards and the players are required to collect a predefined set of cards for initial entry into the bonus game.
The second primary game may also be a lottery game, including another independently conducted draw game with its own prize structure. In a particular embodiment, however, the second primary game is an instant ticket lottery game and the second game tickets are instant lottery tickets having a second bonus game symbol provided thereon that is visually linked to a particular one of the predefined sets of first bonus symbols. For example, the bonus symbol may be a “3× multiplier for ”, wherein a player's initial entry into the bonus game with a particular predefined set of spades is enhanced by a factor of three (e.g., an initial 10 entries becomes 30 entries).
The present invention also encompasses a game system that embodies many of the methodology aspects discussed above so as to increase the sales of unrelated primary games and potentially enhance winnings in a bonus or second chance game. For example, such a game system includes a first game entered by a purchase of a first game entry, each purchased first game entry providing a randomly assigned indicia corresponding to at least one of a plurality of indicia contained on a common game board. The first game may be a first lottery game, such as a draw game or instant ticket game, and the first game entries may be winning or non-winning tickets from the first lottery game. The game board may be a physical board, such as a substrate having a game board printed thereon, or a virtual game board provided via a website made accessible to by the players. The plurality of indicia on the common game board are divided into predefined sets or groupings, for example groupings of playing cards by suits, colors, numbers, themes, game themes (e.g., MONOPOLY properties), and so forth. The game includes a second game entered by purchase of a second game entry that includes a prize enhancement applicable to at least one of the predefined groupings of indicia on the common game board, wherein the potential prize enhancement is awarded upon collection in the first game of all indicia in the respective predefined grouping of indicia. The second game may be a second lottery game, such as a draw game or instant ticket game.
The first and second games comprise standalone separately playable games with separate and independent prize structures, wherein the games may be played completely independent of each other.
As discussed above, the prize enhancement on the second game entries may be a game symbol that is visually linked to a particular one of the predefined groupings of indicia. Other aspects discussed above are also applicable to various embodiments of the game system. For example, the common game board may be a component of a bonus draw game wherein players are awarded a defined number of entries in the draw game once the player has accumulated the predefined grouping of indicia, the number of entries in the draw game multiplied as a function of the game symbol on the second game entry.
In a desirable embodiment, the common game board tracks indicia and game symbols accumulated by the player, including visually associating the bonus game symbols with their respective predefined groupings of indicia.
A full and enabling description of the present invention is provided herein, with reference to particular embodiments depicted in the attached drawings and described below. Certain of the drawings and related description include depictions or reference to characters, images, trademarks, logos, and the like, associated with the well-known board game MONOPOLY. “MONOPOLY” and the related graphics in the drawings (including all names, characters, images, trademarks and logos) are protected by trademark, copyrights, and other Intellectual Property rights owned by Hasbro.
Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the inventive methods and systems, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each embodiment is presented by way of explanation of the invention, and not as a limitation of the invention. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used with another embodiment to yield still a further embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include these and other modifications and variations as come within the scope and spirit of the invention.
In general, the present disclosure is directed to computer implemented methods and systems for conducting a second chance or bonus game program that links multiple primary games, thereby potentially increasing sales in the primary games to enhance one's chances of success in the bonus game. For sake of example only, the following discussion relates to embodiments of the invention drawn to primary lottery games sponsored by state or other jurisdictional authorities. It should be appreciated, however, that the system and method are just as applicable to a second chance game program linked to any manner of primary games, such as multiple primary games conducted within a gaming establishment (e.g., a casino) for patrons of such establishment.
As their name implies, second chance games or drawings are a means for a game player to win a prize with an apparent losing ticket from an initial or primary game. Traditionally, these second chance tickets are from non-winning instant (scratch-off) game tickets. Certain embodiments described herein are a means to link such instant game tickets to a second chance game that is implemented or entered through a completely different primary game, which may be another type of instant scratch-off game or a conventional draw game. It should be appreciated that the present method and system are not limited to only non-winning tickets in the primary games.
Referring to
A bonus game 20 is established that is played separate from the first primary game 12. The bonus game 20 has its own set of rules and prize structure and is generally conducted completely independent of the primary lottery game. Various types of second chance or bonus games 20 are well known in the lottery industry, and any one or combination of these games may be utilized in the present invention. In the embodiment depicted in
A second primary game 22 is established wherein players are issued second game tickets or entries 24 for play of the second primary game. In the embodiment depicted in
The second game tickets 24 are “linked” to the bonus game 20 for the first primary game 22 such that players increase their chance of success in the bonus game 20 by entering the second game tickets 24 (winning or non-winning) into the bonus game 20. The primary games 12, 22 and bonus game 20 are conducted such that (i) play of the first primary game 12 does not require play of the bonus game 20 or the second primary game 22, (ii) play of the second primary game 22 does not require play of the first primary game 12 or the bonus game 20, and (iii) play of the bonus game 20 requires play of the first primary game 12 but not the second primary game 22. Thus, the gate to the bonus game 20 is play of the first primary game 12. The player cannot enter the bonus game 20 simply by playing the second primary game 22. Play of the second primary game 22 may, however, increases the player's likelihood of success or enhance a prize in the bonus game 20 by various means. For example, in one embodiment described in greater detail below, entry of game tickets 24 from the second primary game 22 may increase the number entries a player is granted in the bonus draw game 20, or increase a prize awarded in the bonus game 20, or increase the number of bonus games 20 the player is eligible to play, and so forth.
Still referring to the embodiment of , K
, Q
, and J
. Group B corresponds to: A
, K
, Q
, and J
. Group C corresponds to: A♥, K♥, Q♥, and J♥. Group D corresponds to: A♦, K♦, Q♦, and J♦. In the embodiment of
The game symbols 30 on the first game tickets 14 are the A and K♦, respectively. It should be appreciated that the game symbols 30 could be cards or items that are not within any of the predefined groups 32. For example, the game symbols 30 on game tickets 14 may be 10
or 8
, which are not face cards belonging to any one of the predefined groups 32 and thus have no value in the bonus game 20.
If the one of the groups 32 are satisfied by the player's accumulation of game symbols 30, then the player qualifies to play the bonus game 20 and is granted a defined number of entries into the bonus game drawing. For example, in the embodiment of
A second type of bonus game symbol 34 is associated with (e.g., printed on or accessible via a website) on the second game tickets 24. The second bonus game symbols 34 are visually linked to a particular one of the predefined groupings 32 of first bonus symbols to the extent that a player can readily visually associate the symbol 34 with a particular group 32. For example, referring to the embodiment of 3×” and “
4×”, respectively. A player can readily appreciate that “
3×” is a multiplier (factor of 3) associated with the Group A, and that “
4×” is a multiplier (factor of 4) associated with Group B.
The player's initial entry into the bonus game 20 (granted upon accumulation of one or more of the predefined sets 32 of first bonus game symbols) is enhanced by one or more of the second bonus game symbols 34 the player has accumulated that are linked to the respective predefined set 32 of first bonus game symbols 30. For example, referring to
In certain embodiments, the player can accumulate multiple sets 32 between bonus games, wherein the player's number of entries in the next scheduled bonus game 20 is the cumulative total from all of the accumulated sets. For example, if the player accumulates Group A and Group B, then he is granted 20 initial entries in the bonus game 20. These initial entries may be increased by any second bonus game symbols 34 acquired by the player that relate to Group A or Group B.
The embodiment of a multiplier that increases the player's odds of winning is only one example of an enhancement to play of the bonus game 20. In another embodiment, the second bonus game symbol 34 may increase the prize award in the bonus game 20. For example, a multiplier of 3× may apply to an initial prize award of $100 in the bonus game 20 to increase the prize to $300. In still another embodiment, the second bonus game symbol 34 may identify an “add-on” prize that is in addition to the bonus game price, such as a $500 shopping spree, and so forth. It should be appreciated that the type of enhancement provided by the second bonus game symbols 34 can vary within the scope and spirit of the invention.
A, ♦K, and ♦5. The
A entitles the player to 1 entry in the bonus game 20, and the ♦K entitles the player to 10 entries in the bonus game. The ♦5 does not match one of the predefined sets 32 and has no value in the bonus game 20. As with the embodiment of
In certain embodiments, the players are provided with a bonus game board 36 that tracks the first bonus game symbols 30 and second bonus game symbols 34 acquired by the player. In the embodiment of
As mentioned above, the bonus game 20 may be administered through a players' club, wherein players establish an individual account maintained by the lottery authority for the purpose of entering, tracking, and qualifying for and playing the bonus games. The players access their account via an Internet enabled device at the website address provided on the ticket 14. Each player may have an individual account number.
Still referring to
For purposes of the bonus game 20, the structures 42 increases the number of entries into the bonus game 20 when the predefined set of property locations is completed by the player. For example, the screen shot 56 of
Referring to the figures in general, the present invention also encompasses a game system t100 hat embodies many of the methodology aspects discussed above. The system is beneficial in that it will promote increased sales of unrelated primary games and potentially enhance winnings in a bonus or second chance game for players. For example, such a game system includes a first game entered by a purchase of a first game entry, each purchased first game entry providing a randomly assigned indicia corresponding to at least one of a plurality of indicia contained on a common game board. The first game may be a first lottery game, such as a draw game or instant ticket game, and the first game entries may be winning or non-winning tickets from the first lottery game. The game board may be a physical board, such as a substrate having a game board printed thereon, or a virtual game board provided via a website made accessible to by the players. The plurality of indicia on the common game board are divided into predefined groupings, for example groupings of playing cards by suits, colors, numbers, themes, game themes (e.g., MONOPOLY properties), and so forth. The game includes a second game entered by purchase of a second game entry that includes a prize enhancement applicable to at least one of the predefined groupings of indicia on the common game board, wherein the potential prize enhancement is awarded upon collection in the first game of all indicia in the respective predefined grouping of indicia. The second game may be a second lottery game, such as a draw game or instant ticket game.
The first and second games comprise standalone separately playable games with separate and independent prize structures, wherein the games may be played completely independent of each other.
As discussed above, the prize enhancement on the second game entries may be a game symbol that is visually linked to a particular one of the predefined groupings of indicia. Other aspects discussed above are also applicable to various embodiments of the game system. For example, the common game board may be a component of a bonus draw game wherein players are awarded a defined number of entries in the draw game once the player has accumulated the predefined grouping of indicia, the number of entries in the draw game multiplied as a function of the game symbol on the second game entry.
In a desirable embodiment, the common game board tracks indicia and game symbols accumulated by the player, including visually associating the bonus game symbols with their respective predefined groupings of indicia.
Embodiments of the methods and system disclosed herein may be executed by one or more suitable networked lottery gaming systems. Such system(s) may comprise one or more computing devices adapted to perform one or more embodiments of the methods disclosed herein. Such gaming systems and computing devices may access one or more computer-readable media that embody computer-readable instructions which, when executed by at least one computer, cause the computer(s) to implement one or more embodiments of the methods of the present subject matter. Additionally or alternatively, the computing device(s) may comprise circuitry that renders the device(s) operative to implement one or more of the methods of the present subject matter. Furthermore, components of the presently-disclosed technology may be implemented using one or more computer-readable media.
Any suitable computer-readable medium or media may be used to implement or practice the presently-disclosed subject matter, including, but not limited to, diskettes, drives, and other magnetic-based storage media, optical storage media, including disks (including CD-ROMS, DVD-ROMS, and variants thereof), flash, RAM, ROM, and other memory devices, and the like.
The present disclosure also makes reference to the transmission of communicated data over one or more communications networks. It should be appreciated that network communications can comprise sending and/or receiving information over one or more networks of various forms. For example, a network can comprise a dial-in network, a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), public switched telephone network (PSTN), the Internet, intranet or other type(s) of networks. A network may comprise any number and/or combination of hard-wired, wireless, or other communication links.
The host central computer system 122 may be a single networked computer, or a series of interconnected computers having access to the network 110 via a gateway or other known networking system. Generally, the central controller 123 configured to communicate with, manage, execute and control individual terminal units 104 within the lottery jurisdiction, and to interface with the network enabled devices 116a, 116b, and 116c of the players for entry into and play of the bonus games, as described herein. The central controller 123 may include a memory for storing gaming procedures and routines, a microprocessor (MP) for executing the stored programs, a random access memory (RAM) and an input/output (I/O) bus. These devices may be multiplexed together via a common bus, or may each be directly connected via dedicated communications lines, depending on the needs of the system 100.
The central controller 123 may be directly or indirectly connected through the I/O bus to any manner of peripheral devices such as storage devices, wireless adaptors, printers, and the like. In addition, a database (DB) may be communicatively connected to the central controller 123 and provide a data repository for the storage and correlation of information gathered from the individual terminal units 104 or devices 116. The information stored within the database may be information relating to individual players, games, or game card specific information.
Aspects of present system and method call for the players to interface with the host central computer system 122. This may be done directly, as illustrated in
In one embodiment, the player's network enabled device may be located at a point of sale location for the first or second primary game lottery tickets, and may even be a part of the terminals 104. In this embodiment, a player may interact with the system 122 immediately after purchasing or receiving a primary game ticket.
Each lottery jurisdiction may be differently configured for purposes of carrying out various lottery functions within its borders. For purposes of discussion, each lottery jurisdiction may be considered as a node. The lottery jurisdiction nodes 120, in turn, may be directly connected and/or multiplexed to the network 110 via direct network links. Further, the direct network links may be secure communications channels physically hardened against tampering and/or the communications may be encrypted to prevent unauthorized access to information transmitted thereon.
With each lottery jurisdiction, a plurality of terminal units 104 may be provided at multiple locations and connected with a LAN or WAN. Further, the LAN and/or WAN connecting each of the terminal units 104 may include one or more separate and secure buses 108, routers 112, web servers 106, gateways and other networking equipment to provide continuous and/or redundant connectivity to the network 110. As discussed above, the network 110 may be communicatively connected to central host computers 122 and/or respective central controllers as well as associated databases to allow for implementation, storage, tracking and analysis of gaming and other features. The network 110 may also be connected to external systems (e.g., Facebook™, Twitter™, etc.) for different purposes. For example, the players may be notified through these external systems as to whether or not they won or lost in the primary or second chance games.
The terminal units 104 may be configured with any manner of hardware and software functionality to accept a player's entry and wager into a primary game, such as an on-line game or purchase of an instant game ticket. The terminal units 104 may also be configured for redeeming a player's game ticket after completion of the primary game, or completion of the second chance game of the player's choice. For example, the terminals may issue a credit slip that the player uses to collect their prize award at an establishment's cashier or an authorized lottery redemption center.
The terminals 104 may include any conventional feature known to those skilled in the art related to lottery terminals. The terminal 14 includes features and functionality to allow a player or retail clerk to enter the information required to participate in the lottery game. An exemplary terminal 14 includes a housing, one or more input devices, which may be a control panel having input keys, a display, a value input device such as a card reader, a play slip or ticket reader, and a ticket printer. The play slip reader is typically configured to read user selection marks, bar codes, magnetically stored information, or any other desired input information. Control panel input keys allow the player or retail clerk to select the game to be played, input the value to be wagered, manually enter selected lottery characters, and input any other information necessary to play the lottery game. The terminal may include a display which may be an LCD, a CRT, or touch-screen capable of receiving and displaying information related to the game. The value input device may include any device that can accept value or a wager from a customer, such as a card reader or an optical currency collector. The value input device may be integrated with external devices, such as a cash register or other retail terminals, to exchange information necessary to receive and record the wagering transaction. The game ticket printer may be used to print or otherwise encode game tickets with information selected or required to play the lottery game. The printer may provide game tickets that reflect a player's selection, or complete lottery slips if the selection was generated automatically by the terminal. It should be readily appreciated that particular embodiments of terminals 14 are not meant as a limitation of the invention, and that embodiments of the present invention may encompass any configuration of features and functionality to allow initiation and playing of a lottery game.
It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may be made present invention without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. It is intended that the present invention include such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims.
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/062,177, filed Oct. 10, 2014.
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